Hiking Aid

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a device for improving the standing and walking properties in a shoe ( 1 ), in particular a hiking shoe, on a ground surface ( 9 ) inclined downwardly in the direction of the tip of the shoe, comprising a balancing member ( 2 ) for balancing the inclination of the ground surface ( 9 ), fastening means ( 4, 5, 6   a   , 6   b   , 6   b   ′, 24 - 29 ) for the releasable fastening of the balancing member ( 2 ) on the shoe ( 1 ) comprising at least a belt or strap ( 6   a   , 6   b   , 13, 26 ) to be guided over the heel area of the shoe, wherein the balancing member only lies against the sole ( 3 ) in the forefoot area of the shoe ( 1 ) in the fastened state, wherein the surface of the balancing member ( 2 ) pointing towards the ground surface runs substantially parallel relative to the sole ( 3 ) of the shoe ( 1 ).

The present invention relates to a device for improving the standing andwalking properties in a shoe, in particular a hiking shoe, on a surfaceinclined downwardly in the direction of the tip of the shoe,

Walking on a surface inclined downwardly in the direction of walking isoften perceived by the hiker as being uncomfortable because, on the onehand, there is an unusual strain upon the leg muscles, and, on the otherhand, an additional strain on the respective foot within the shoe. Alarge amount of tension on the knee extensor in the thigh develops whenwalking downhill, which quickly leads to fatigue during longer periodsof walking downhill, as can happen in the mountains. In addition, thetension generates an increased pressure on the kneecap, which in turntransfers this pressure on the knee joint, thus causing damage to theknee joint. Among other things, a hiker uses hiking sticks in order tominimize this strain, however, they can only support the weight of thehiker to a partial extent and are thus able to provide only a certaindegree of relief.

The increased strain on the foot when walking downhill is a result ofthe foot slipping towards the front in the hiking shoe. In the long run,the result may be a painful contact of the toes with the inside of theshoe and may cause the socks to wear through quickly in the area of thetoenails. In order to prevent this contact, it is generally recommendedto buy the shoes in a larger size than is actually necessary. However,this is disadvantageous in that the shoes do not fit perfectly, and thatthis must be compensated by lacing the shoe very tightly when walkingdownhill. However, when the shoe is laced tightly, this may quicklycause blood congestion, which is also uncomfortable. Lacing often variesduring walking in order to accommodate the course of the hike. Such aprocess is time-consuming and is inconvenient.

In order to ensure a more uniform strain on the leg muscles, EP 0 083050 A1 proposes an orthopedic device to be fastened to a shoe like aclimbing iron, which has both a wedge on the heel as well as on the ballof the foot. The structure is comparatively complicated and limits theflexibility of the sole of the shoe in a disadvantageous manner. Due tolack of flexibility of the sole, the shoe does not always have grip, inparticular in the highly strained area of the heel.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,984 proposes a device to be fastened both on theheel as well as on the ball of the foot, which in these two positions,respectively, leads to a compensation of the inclination between thefoot and the surface due to a balancing member that is wedge-shaped incross-section. Because of the interchangeability and the differentfastening conditions on the heel and on the balls of the foot, thedevice cannot be fastened optimally in either of the positions. Inaddition, the balancing member, which is merely wedge-shaped and tapersoff to become flat towards the heel, does not lead to an optimalcompensation of the inclination for the foot, particularly not in thearea of the metatarsus. It was also found that such a balancing member,which tapers off to become flat and which is wedge-shaped, wears outeasily or becomes damaged in the comparatively thin area of the wedge,in particular on a rough surface.

CH 91145 also proposes a balancing member for walking downhill. Thebalancing member shown therein also does not have a contact surfaceparallel relative to the sole, on the side of the ground surface.Rolling movement in the forefoot area is thus not ensured by the deviceshown. In addition, the fastening shown therein has proven not to besufficient.

In EP 1 386 552 A1, balancing members are shown that are fastened to thesole. The structure is comparatively complicated and susceptible tofailure. The structure does not solve the problem of the transmission ofthe comparatively large forces acting during walking downhill. A rollingmovement does not take place. Rather, it is like walking on stilts.

EP 0 083 050 A1 describes a comparatively complicated structure of abalancing member for both the heel as well as for the forefoot. Due tothe obligatory rigid basic body and the lack of parallelism between thesole and the balancing member's contact surface on the side of theground surface, no rolling movement takes place, thus making walkingwith this device uncomfortable.

The Austrian patent specification No. 230786 also shows a wedge-shapedbalancing member. The comparatively large wedge-shaped balancing memberprevents a rolling movement of the foot also in this case. Due to thecomparatively inflexible fastening system, the system shown is onlysuitable for certain shoes.

In view of the disadvantages described above, it is therefore the objectof the invention to provide a device for improving the standing andwalking properties in a shoe, in particular a hiking shoe, on a surfaceinclined downwardly in the walking direction, which, on the one hand,accomplishes the object comparatively effectively, and which, on theother hand, is comparatively inexpensive to produce.

This object is achieved by a generic device having the features of thefirst claim. Advantageous embodiments become apparent from the dependentclaims.

The device according to the invention for improving the standing andwalking properties in a shoe, in particular a hiking shoe, on a surfaceinclined downwardly in the direction of the tip of the shoe comprises abalancing member for compensating the inclination of the surface. Inaddition, fastening means for fastening the balancing member on the shoeare provided according to the invention. In a particularly simple andinexpensive embodiment, the balancing member is laced to the shoe withshoe laces. The balancing member merely lies against the sole in theforefoot area of the shoe when fastened to the shoe. The surface of thebalancing member pointing towards the ground surface runs substantiallyparallel relative to the sole of the shoe. Because of the balancingmember, moving on the inclined ground surface is similar to walking onstairs. The tension on the knee extensor in the thigh described in theintroduction is reduced, so that the strain on the knee also becomesless. In addition, the tendency of the foot to slide towards the frontis less, which is an advantage as regards the socks and toes. It becomesunnecessary to buy shoes in a larger size than necessary in order tohave enough room in front of the toes when walking downhill. This isadvantageous in that the shoe need not be laced tightly because it istoo large, in order to be able to offer sufficient purchase, which canlead to it being uncomfortable. Apart from improved walking properties,standing on an inclined ground surface is also improved because standingis safer and less tiring due to the reduced inclination of the foot. Thebalancing member, for example, is designed to be as wide as the sole inorder to provide as wide a contact surface as possible on the groundsurface and in order to prevent spraining of the foot.

Because the balancing member is limited to the forefoot are, the devicecan be produced comparatively simply and inexpensively and can betransported, for example, in a backpack, in a manner that saves room andweight. In addition, the flexibility of the heel area is not limited bythe device so that it is ensured that the heel lies securely and flatlyon any ground surface. Because of the fact that the balancing member'ssurface pointing towards the ground surface runs essentially parallelrelative to the sole of the shoe, it is accomplished that the latercourse of movements during which the heel of the shoe lifts off from theground surface remains comparatively natural and familiar, and thatthus, the natural rolling movement of the foot can be maintained. It wasfound that, in the case of such an embodiment of the balancing member,the walker or hiker feels little insecurity due to the device fastenedon the shoe, because the shape of the sole in the forefoot area issubstantially maintained and is only offset parallel. Parallel withinthe meaning of the invention must therefore be understood to mean thatthe above mentioned surface runs nearly parallel, but that it can indeedbe provided with grooves and notches because it may be provided with aprofile. Because of such a design of the balancing member, whichsubstantially is not wedge-shaped, conventional and commerciallyavailable heel parts are suitable for producing the device according tothe invention, so that it can be produced inexpensively. In addition,there is no wear as is regularly the case in wedge-shaped balancingmembers in the area of the ends that taper off to become thin. It is ofparticular advantage to prevent this if walking is done on a groundsurface with rubble, as is regularly the case for a hiking shoe.

The fastening means comprise at least one belt or strap guided over theheel. In this way, not only is a particularly secure hold of thebalancing member on the sole ensured by preventing the balancing memberfrom sliding off from the sole of the shoe towards the front, but aparticularly versatile fastening of the balancing member to variousshoes is also achieved in this way. Thus, it was shown that the heel inparticular provides for a secure hold of the balancing member becausethe belt or strap running around the heel provides for a securefastening due to the long area of contact. In addition, the heel area ofthe shoe, as a rule, has a recess, not only due to anatomicalcircumstances, which the belt or strap can “engage”. Because of the“loose” guidance of the belt or strap, that is, a fastening of the beltonly in the vicinity of the balancing member and the obligatoryrelatively great length of the belt or strap, it can be guided easilyand flexibly over the heel in accordance with the configuration of theshoe. Such a fastening has proven particularly advantageous incombination with various shoes, in particular hiking shoes. The goodadaptability to various configurations of the shoe can be increased bythe flexibility of the belt or strap or the maneuverability of thefastening on the balancing member. In addition, the belt or strap can beused to protect the heel area of the shoe and thus, the foot, frominjury. The belt or the strap is pivotably connected with the balancingmember, or it is designed to be flexible and riveted.

In one embodiment, the fastening means are designed such that thefastening can be released. For example, belts with clasps are provided,or fastening members attached to both the shoe and the balancing memberare attached that interact such that, on the one hand, a fastening isachieved, and, on the other hand, this fastening can also be releasedagain. Because of the releasability and the resulting options, thedevice can be taken off when the ground surface conditions change, forexample, when the ground surface in inclined in the opposite direction.For example, the fastening means comprise magnetic or metal-mechanicalelements with which releasability is achieved.

In an advantageous embodiment of the device, the balancing member has alength in the range of 33%-50% relative to the length of the sole.Preferably, the length is about 40%, more preferably 33% of the lengthof the sole. The expression length of the balancing member means thedimension of the balancing member extending between the tip of the footand the metatarsal area in the fastened state of the balancing member.The above described effects according to the invention thus developparticularly well. On the other hand, a sufficient contact area in theforefoot area of the shoe is thus achieved. If, for example, the size ofthe balancing member is within the range of 40%-50%, the distance to theheel is correspondingly small, and, by means of a comparatively thinbalancing member, a sufficient balancing effect can be caused with thismember.

It was found that there is an optimum with regard to adhesion in theattached state and transportability with respect to weight and size inthe detached state of the device according to the invention at a size of33% of the length of the sole.

According to one embodiment, the balancing member has a thickness o 1 cmto 5 cm, preferably of 2 cm to 4 cm. It was found that a balancingmember of such a thickness provides a sufficient compensation for theinclination in most cases, that is, for inclinations occurring duringhiking, in order to make walking sufficiently comfortable andcomparatively strain-free.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the fastening meanscomprise adjustable straps. This is, for example, a strap that can beadjusted in length by means of a clasp. For example, the strap is guidedover the forefoot. In one embodiment, two straps are provided in thearea of the forefoot, the straps being guided over the toe area and thearea of the instep of the shoe. The device can be adjusted to variousshoe sizes and types of shoe due to this adjustment option.

In another advantageous embodiment, the fastening means comprise anelastic material, for example, rubber. Thus, the fastening means areexpandable and can therefore be used to a comparatively great extent invarious shoe sizes and types of shoe at a given length. If the balancingmember also consists of rubber, as conventional shoe heels do, thenfastening between balancing member and fastening means can be donecomparatively easily by simple vulcanization. The device can thus beproduced particularly inexpensively.

Another advantageous embodiment provides that the fastening means areguided so that they encompass the shoe at least partially like socks.Thus, the device can be attached to the shoe comparatively easily, likean overshoe. In addition, this fastening protects the shoe from damage.

In accordance with another advantageous embodiment, the balancing memberis provided with a profile on the surface pointing towards the groundsurface. Advantageously, this increases the adhesion of the balancingmember on the ground surface, in particular on a slippery ground surfaceor on rubble.

In another advantageous embodiment, the balancing member is providedwith an upwardly-pointing projection protruding over the sole, forexample in the area of the shoe's tip. The projection is, for example,riveted to the balancing member or designed to be integral therewith.The result of the projection is that a, for example, sliding off of thebalancing member from the sole in a backward direction is prevented. Inan additional embodiment, the projection can also be guided around thesides of the balancing member in order to fasten the balancing memberparticularly securely.

In accordance with another advantageous embodiment, the balancing membercorresponds to a conventional heel of a hiking shoe. The device can thusbe produced particularly easily and inexpensively.

For example, given a length of 27-29 cm (shoe size 38 to 40 according toEuropean standards), an elevation of the front part of the shoe of 3 cmis achieved, the distance of the end of the heel of the shoe to the endof the balancing member pointing towards the heel being 19 to 20 cm.

In another embodiment, the balancing member can be designed to compriseseveral parts. For example, the balancing member includes severallayered and detachably connected panels in order to enable an individualadaptation of the balancing member to the ground surface and/or the shoesize.

According to another embodiment, parts of the fastening means areintegrated into the shoe, for example in the sole, in order to interactwith the other fastening members attached to the balancing member so asto achieve a fastening, in particular a releasable fastening. Forexample, pins are provided on the sole of the shoe that engagecorresponding holes on the balancing member or vice versa.

In one embodiment, the fastening means are designed so that thebalancing member is attached to the shoe in a foldable manner. Thebalancing member can foldably be brought into a first position in whichthe inclination of the ground surface is compensated. The can be foldedin a second position in which there is no compensation.

According to another embodiment, the thickness of the balancing membercan be adjusted, for example, by means of a mechanical of hydraulicadjustment. In another embodiment, means are provided that determine thethickness required for optimum compensation and that set the thicknessof the balancing member accordingly.

In another preferred embodiment, the fastening means are guided over theinstep (back of the shoe). For example, belts or straps are providedthat are guided over the back. Because of the belts' contact on theshoe, they prevent a sliding off off the shoe. In particular, it isensured that they contact the shoe if the width of the balancing membercorresponds to the width of the shoe. In order to increase the adhesionof the fastening means, it can be designed to be elastic or adjustable.

In another advantageous embodiment, the fastening means comprise one ormore tensile force distributors. Tensile force distributors within thesense of the invention are characterized in that, through them, severaltensile forces applied by the fastening means are reduced to one tensileforce, if possible, which then acts on the balancing member. Thus, thefastening efforts on the balancing member are reduced in an advantageousmanner. In addition, the tensile forces can be distributed in such auniform manner that the resulting force acting on the balancing memberis substantially perpendicular to the sole, thus effecting a securefastening of the balancing member. The balancing member is precludedfrom sliding off during the stress of walking. The tensile forcedistributor is, for example, a seam or a weld between two or more bands.

In a preferred embodiment, the tensile force distributor is a ring.belts or straps that are guided around various sections of the shoe are,for example, threaded through the ring. Advantageously, the belts andthus, the tensile forces, can distribute around the circumference of thering because the belts are displaceable in the circumferential directionof the ring. A particularly good fastening is thus achieved. This hasthe added advantage that the fastening means can easily be adapted todifferent shoes and that, if necessary, a secure fastening of thebalancing member is easily accomplished by hand. In one embodiment, onering each is arranged on the inner flank and the outer flank of theshoe, in a distance of 1-20 mm from the upper edge of the balancingmember. The distance prevents, if possible, the ring or the strapsguided therethrough from coming into contact with the area walkedthrough or rubble or the like, and thus, from being damaged. Preferably,the ring is of metal, more preferably of stainless steel. The ring is,for example, a key ring, i.e. a wire that is closely coiled in a spiral,thus forming a ring. Thus, the belts can be easily attached to the ringor be exchanged.

According to another advantageous embodiment, at least one of thetensile force distributors (29) receives the tensile force of the beltor strap to be guided over the heel of the shoe and of at least one beltor strap to be guided over the back of the shoe. It was found that aparticularly good distribution of the tensile forces, and therefore, aparticularly good hold of the balancing member on the shoe, can thus beachieved. If the tensile force distributor is a ring, for example, thebelt guided over the heel can easily be displaced within thecircumference of the ring, and the position of the belt can easily beadapted to different shoe shapes and sizes in order to thus ensure asecure hold of the balancing member.

The invention will be described in detail below with reference to twoembodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment according to the invention in a sideview.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment according to the invention in a sideview.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment according to the invention with severaltensile force distributors in a side view.

In FIG. 1, the device according to the invention is fastened to a hikingshoe 1. This shoe is merely shown for the purpose of illustrating thedevice according to the invention. The balancing member 2 is fastened tothe sole 3 of the shoe 1 so as to rest against the sole 3 in theforefoot area. Fastening is achieved by several straps 4, 5, 6 a, 6 b,which, for example, consist of leather or, preferably, nylon. Clasps 7are provided for adjusting and fitting them individually to the shoe 1.They are each attached, for example, to the outside of the shoe topreclude an entanglement of the clasps that are attached to therespective shoes and thus prevent stumbling. The straps 4, 5, 6 a areguided through through-holes 11 provided in the balancing member 2. Twoof the straps 6 a, 6 b are guided over the heel area of the shoe 1 inorder to ensure a particularly secure fastening of the balancing member2 to the sole 3. The strap 6 b with the section 6 b′ is guided from theheel to the rear strap 5, wraps around the strap 5, then, with thesection 6 b′, leads to the strap 5 in order to wrap around that. Theguidance of the strap 6 b corresponds to this on the opposite side ofthe shoe, which is not shown. By virtue of the guidance 6 b, inparticular by the strap 6 b′. the straps 5 and 5 are fixated, on the onehand, and on the other hand, the balancing member is prevented fromslipping off towards the front by the additional guidance over the heel.In order to prevent the balancing member 2 from slipping off, aprojection 8 protruding over the sole 3 is optionally provided on thebalancing member 2. The balancing member 2 is provided with a profile onthe side facing away from the sole 3 in order to enhance adhesion. Asshown, the shoe 1 is situated on an inclined ground surface 9. Theinclination of the ground surface 9 is compensated, at least in part, bythe balancing member 2, so that the inclination of the shoe 1 is lessthan that of the ground surface 9, so that advantageously, a walk onstairs in simulated, thus relieving the strain on the foot and themuscles. As is shown, the flexibility of the sole 3 of the shoe 1 is notaffected by the device according to the invention, so that, due toflexibility not being affected, the sole can align itself in the heelarea 10 so that the sole 3 comes into as flat a contact as possible withthe ground surface 9 in the heel area 10. The surface of the balancingmember 2 pointing towards the ground surface runs substantially parallelrelative to the sole 3 of the shoe 1. This is to make possible a rollingmovement of the shoe 1, as indicated by the arrow shown, in thedirection of the inclined ground surface 9 in the further sequence ofmovements (not shown) of the foot. Thus, the device according to theinvention affects only slightly the usual sequence of movements whenlifting the heel off the ground surface, and when rolling the foot overthe area of the toes.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment. In FIG. 2, the device according to theinvention is again fastened to a hiking shoe 1. This shoe is merelyshown for the purpose of illustrating the device according to theinvention. The balancing member 12 is fastened to the sole 3 of the shoe1 so that it lies against the sole 3 in the forefoot area. Fastening isachieved by fastening means having rubber straps 13, 14, 15 that arepulled over the shoe 1 like socks or overshoes. Adjustment andindividual fit to the shoe 1 is accomplished by the elasticity of thefastening means. One of the rubber straps 13 is guided over the heelarea of the shoe 1 in order to ensure a particularly secure fastening ofthe balancing member 12 to the sole 3. The balancing member 12 isprovided with a profile on the side facing away from the sole 3 in orderto enhance adhesion. As shown, the shoe 1 is situated on an inclinedground surface 9. The inclination of the ground surface 9 iscompensated, at least in part, by the balancing member 12, so that theinclination of the shoe 1 is less than that of the ground surface 9, sothat advantageously, a walk on stairs in simulated, thus relieving thestrain on the foot and the muscles. As is shown, the flexibility of thesole 3 of the shoe 1 is not affected by the device according to theinvention, so that, due to the flexibility not being affected, the solecan align itself in the heel area 10 so that the sole 3 comes into asflat a contact as possible with the ground surface 9 in the heel area10. The surface of the balancing member 12 pointing towards the groundsurface runs substantially parallel relative to the sole 3 of the shoe1. This is to make possible a rolling movement of the shoe 1, asindicated by the arrow shown, in the direction of the inclined groundsurface 9 in the further sequence of movements (not shown) of the foot.Thus, the device according to the invention affects only slightly theusual sequence of movements when lifting the heel off the groundsurface, and when rolling the foot over the area of the toes.

In FIG. 3, the device according to the invention is also fastened to ahiking shoe 1 in a third embodiment. The balancing member 2 is fastenedto the sole 3 of the shoe so that it lies against the sole 3 in theforefoot area. Fastening is done by several straps 24, 25, 26, 27 a, 27b and ring-shaped tensile force distributors 28 and 29 Again, claps 7are provided for adjusting and individual fitting to the shoe 1. Theyare each attached, for example, to the outer side of the shoe topreclude an entanglement of the clasps that are attached to therespective shoes and thus prevent stumbling. The straps 24 and 27 b areguided through through-holes 11 provided in the balancing member 2. Inthe embodiment shown here, only one strap 25 is advantageously guidedover the heel area of the shoe 1 in order to ensure a particularlysecure fastening of the balancing member 2 to the sole 3. The strap 27 bleads to the tensile force distributor 29. Extending the strap 27 b, thestrap 27 a leads from the tensile force distributor 29 to the oppositeside (not shown) of the shoe 1. However, the guidance of the straps onthe side not shown substantially corresponds to that of the side shown.Thus, the strap 27 a leads to a ring-shaped tensile force distributor,which in turn, via a piece of strap, leads to the balancing member 2 andthrough the through hole 11 to the side shown to end in the partdesignated 27 b on the ring-shaped tensile force distributor 29. Thefront strap 24 leads to the ring-shaped tensile force distributor 28arranged in the top side of the shoe. Further straps lead away from thetensile force distributor in a star shape. In this manner, the tensileforce distributors 28 and 29 are connected by the strap 26 on the sideshown. The fastening means prevent the balancing member 2 from slippingoff off the shoe 1. The balancing member 2 is provided with a profile onthe side facing away from the sole 3 in order to enhance adhesion. Asshown, the shoe 1 is situated on an inclined ground surface 9. Theinclination of the ground surface 9 is compensated, at least in part, bythe balancing member 2, so that the inclination of the shoe 1 is lessthan that of the ground surface 9, so that advantageously, a walk onstairs is simulated, thus relieving the strain on the foot and themuscles. As is shown, the flexibility of the sole 3 of the shoe 1 is notaffected by the device according to the invention, so that, due to theflexibility not being affected, the sole can align itself in the heelarea 10 so that the sole 3 comes into as flat a contact as possible withthe ground surface 9 in the heel area 10. The surface of the balancingmember 2 pointing towards the ground surface runs substantially parallelrelative to the sole 3 of the shoe 1. This is to make possible a rollingmovement of the shoe 1, as indicated by the arrow, in the direction ofthe inclined ground surface 9 in the further sequence of movements (notshown) of the foot. Thus, the device according to the invention affectsonly slightly the usual sequence of movements when lifting the heel offthe ground surface, and when rolling the foot over the area of the toes.

1. A device for improving the standing and walking properties in a shoe,comprising a balancing members for balancing an inclination of a groundsurface inclined downwardly in a direction of a tip of the shoe,fastening means for fastening the balancing member on the shoe, thebalancing member only lying against a sole of the shoe in a forefootarea of the shoe in the fastened state, the fastening means comprisingat least a belt or strap to be guided over a heel of the shoe, thedevice being characterized in that a surface of the balancing memberpointing towards the ground surface runs substantially parallel relativeto the sole of the shoe.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein thefastening means are designed so that the fastening is releasable.
 3. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the balancing member has a lengthin the range of 30-50% of a length of the sole.
 4. The device accordingto claim 1, wherein the fastening means comprise at least one tensileforce distributor.
 5. The device according to claim 4, wherein at leastone of the tensile force distributors receives the tensile force of thebelt or strap to be guided over the heel of the shoe and of at least onebelt or strap to be guided over a back of the shoe.
 6. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the balancing member has a thickness of atleast 1 cm to 5 cm.
 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein thefastening means comprise adjustable straps.
 8. The device according toclaim 1, wherein the fastening means consist of an elastic material. 9.The device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means are guidedso that they envelop the shoe in a sock-like manner.
 10. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the balancing member is provided with aprofile on the surface pointing towards the ground surface.
 11. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the balancing member is providedwith an upwardly-pointing projection protruding over the sole.
 12. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the balancing member corresponds toa conventional heel of a hiking shoe.
 13. The device according to claim1, wherein the shoe is a hiking shoe.
 14. The device according to claim3, wherein the length of the balancing member is about 40% of the lengthof the sole.
 15. The device according to claim 3, wherein the length ofthe balancing member is about 33% of the length of the sole.
 16. Thedevice according to claim 4, wherein the at least one tensile forcedistributor is a ring.
 17. The device according to claim 6, wherein thethickness of the balancing member is from 2 cm to 4 cm.
 18. The deviceaccording to claim 8, wherein the elastic material is rubber.